The achievements and bravery of "exceptionally gifted and courageous" young people in Elmbridge have been recognised at an awards ceremony.

Dignitaries including Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey David Munro gathered at Imber Court for the Elmbridge Young Persons of Honour awards on Friday evening (May 5).

Organised by PC Phil Jebb from the Elmbridge Borough Community Safety Team, the ceremony at the East Molesey centre recognised the achievements of young people aged between eight and 18 in the borough.

MP for Esher & Walton Dominic Raab and Mayor of Elmbridge Tannia Shipley were among the impressed onlookers.

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Surrey Police

PC Phil Jebb said: “I’m really pleased the awards are still proving to be so popular amongst the Elmbridge community and it was certainly a most enjoyable evening.

“Like so many in the room I was truly humbled and moved by the amazing stories I heard during the evening and I hope the awards go some way to reminding these exceptionally gifted and courageous young people that all their hard work is being recognised."

Mr Munro believes the event is a "great celebration" that brings the Elmbridge community together.

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A Surrey Police spokesman said: "Emma is doing brilliantly well in life against all odds. She has faced huge traumas in her personal life which affected her physically and mentally.

"Despite all this she has turned herself around and has gained excellent exam grades. She is planning to go to university and is a fantastic role model for young people who have also experienced extreme difficulties in their lives."

The spokesman said: "He has to attend many hospital appointments, but he always shows perseverance and courage. He finds alternative ways to access physical activities and keeps his positive ethos at all times."

Katy Gunn was recognised in the young carer category.

"She is dedicated to her family, providing the main support to her mum, brother and sister who have numerous needs," the police spokesman said.

"Despite this she maintains her grades at Rydens Enterprise School (RES) and has approached recent problems with maturity and courage."

The winner of the service to school category was Hamzah Rasheed, a member of the sixth form leadership team at RES in Hersham.

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"He co-ordinated a whole school effort to create hampers for the Walton food bank, including the sixth form rag week raising £738," the spokesman said.

"He is charity captain for Windsor House and helps to co-ordinate its fundraising events, enlisting the help of other tutor groups."

In the bravery category the winners, a 12-year-old girl and nine-year-old boy, cannot be named as they are the victims of a crime.

The spokesman said: "The pair were at home in the care of their au pair in February this year when the girl came face to face with a burglar in their house.

"When she screamed the man ran off. Despite being very frightened, the quick thinking girl got her brother and the au pair into a place of safety, locked them all in a bedroom and then phoned the police."

Following the event PC Jebb thanked the Surrey Police volunteers who helped organise the ceremony and the sponsors: The Walton Charity, Police Mutual, Sainsbury’s Cobham and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey.

The full list of winners:

Personal adversity category

Rosie Morgan

Emma Shaw

Sean Thorn

Jaiya Arora

Maddoc Hughes

Harry Spragg

Kati Field

Charity/role model category

Abbie Poet and Nazrin Ahad

Role model/young carer category

Caspar Yim

Young carer category

Katy Gunn

Service to school category

Hamzah Rasheed

Bravery category

A 12-year-old girl and 9-year-old boy from Esher (who cannot be named as they are victims of a crime)

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